Intention of residents in internal medicine to care for patients infected with HIV at a university hospital in Taiwan

The purpose of this study was to investigate internal medicine residents' H IV-related knowledge and their attitudes towards caring for HIV-infected pa tients, and determine the extent to which these variables influence their c are-providing intention. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 56 inter nal medicine residents at a university hospital in Taiwan. Results showed r esidents' lack of Sufficient knowledge was reflected by their inaccurate as sessment of HIV-associated risk and their tendency to overuse protective ge ar in unnecessary situations. In general, residents expressed slightly posi tive attitudes with a neutral intention to care for HIV-infected patients. Knowledge and attitudes were significantly correlated with intention. The u se of stepwise regression analysis revealed attitudes accounted for 59% of the variance in intention. Future efforts should focus on designing, implem enting, and evaluating educational programmes that address residents' needs to ensure a solid HIV-related knowledge base, support their positive attit udes, address their ambivalent feelings toward providing HIV care, and enha nce their intention to care for HIV-infected patients.